log

/lɒɡ/

//lɒɡ// noun

By · According to Wiktionary data (CC BY-SA) ·

"log" is a 3-letter English headword indexed on PlainSpell.

The verdict

“log” is a regularly-used English word, ranked #3,826 in English word frequency and used as a noun.

#3,826
frequency rank, English
3
letters
20
confusable pairs

According to Wiktionary data (CC BY-SA, analyzed May 6, 2026) - The trunk of a dead tree, cleared of branches.

Visual similarity to commonly confused words

How many letter changes separate each confused pair (Levenshtein distance, normalized).

log vs Lt
0% similar
log vs LP
0% similar
log vs Ls
0% similar

Source: PlainSpell confusable corpus (Wiktionary, CC BY-SA).

Key facts for log
PropertyValue
Headwordlog
LanguageEnglish
Part of speechNoun
IPA/lɒɡ/
Letters3
Frequency rank#3,826
Misspellings tracked0
Confusable pairs20
SourceWiktionary (kaikki.org)

Where “log” sits in English frequency

Every-word frequency runs from the handful of words we use constantly (left) to the long tail used once in a blue moon (right). log lands here:

#1#100#1K#10K#100K
← used constantlyrarely used →

Scale is logarithmic (each tick is 10× rarer). Source: FrequencyWords open word-frequency list.

Spelling & Dictionary Insight

The English entry for log is 3 letters long, classified as a noun, and transcribed in the International Phonetic Alphabet as /lɒɡ/. Corpus data places it at rank #3,826 in overall English word frequency, indicating it appears regularly in written and spoken text. Wiktionary records 11 distinct senses for this headword, so context determines which meaning a reader should apply.

We couldn't generate a plausible misspelling set for log, suggesting the orthography follows predictable English patterns. It also participates in 20 confusable-pair relationships, "Lt", "LP", "Ls", and more, a pairing that trips writers up because the two words share enough sound or shape to blur together.

Etymologically, the entry records: From Middle English logge, logg (first recorded in Anglo-Latin as loggum), of uncertain origin, but probably from Old Norse lóg, lág (“felled tree, log”), derived from Old Norse liggja (“to lie”). If so, then cognate with Norwegian låg (“fallen tree”), Dutc… The correct English form is log, spelled L-O-G.

Definition

  1. 1
    The trunk of a dead tree, cleared of branches.
  2. 2
    Any bulky piece as cut from the above, used as timber, fuel etc.
  3. 3
    A unit of length equivalent to 16 feet, used for measuring timber, especially the trunk of a tree.
  4. 4
    Anything shaped like a log; a cylinder.
  5. 5
    A floating device, usually of wood, used in navigation to estimate the speed of a vessel through water.
  6. 6
    A blockhead; a very stupid person.
  7. 7
    A heavy longboard.
  8. 8
    A rolled cake with filling.
  9. 9
    A weight or block near the free end of a hoisting rope to prevent it from being drawn through the sheave.
  10. 10
    A piece of feces, especially a relatively long, solid one, resembling a tree log.
  11. 11
    A penis.

Etymology

From Middle English logge, logg (first recorded in Anglo-Latin as loggum), of uncertain origin, but probably from Old Norse lóg, lág (“felled tree, log”), derived from Old Norse liggja (“to lie”). If so, then cognate with Norwegian låg (“fallen tree”), Dutch loog (“wood, timber, lumber”). Alternatively, directly from Norwegian låg (“fallen tree”), which could have been borrowed through the Norwegian timber trade. However the Old Norse/Middle Norwegian vowel is long while Middle English vowel is short.

This word in other languages

leño(Español)grume(Français)Baumstamm(Deutsch)cepo(Português)

Definitions, pronunciation, and etymology for this entry are drawn from Wiktionary via the kaikki.org structured extract (CC BY-SA); frequency ordering uses the FrequencyWords open word-frequency list (2018 English corpus, MIT). See the methodology for how each field is sourced and updated.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you spell "log"?
"log" is spelled L-O-G. The IPA pronunciation is /lɒɡ/.
What does "log" mean?
As a noun, "log" means: The trunk of a dead tree, cleared of branches.
What words are commonly confused with "log"?
"log" is commonly confused with "Lt", "LP", "Ls". These words look or sound similar but have different meanings. PlainSpell provides detailed comparisons for each pair.
How do you pronounce "log"?
The IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet) transcription for "log" is /lɒɡ/. Click the speaker icon on the pronunciation badge above to hear it spoken aloud where audio is available.
What is the origin of the word "log"?
From Middle English logge, logg (first recorded in Anglo-Latin as loggum), of uncertain origin, but probably from Old Norse lóg, lág (“felled tree, log”), derived from Old Norse liggja (“to lie”). If so, then cognate with Norwegian låg (“fallen tr... See the full etymology section above for more details.
Is PlainSpell free to use?
Yes, PlainSpell is a completely free word reference. You can look up definitions, pronunciations, confusable pairs, homophones, and spelling corrections across 5 languages without any sign-up or subscription.

Using “log”

The practical upshot for anyone who landed here from a spell-check.

  • The one correct English spelling is L-O-G - every other letter order is a misspelling in standard orthography.
  • Say it as /lɒɡ/ (IPA); tap the speaker on the pronunciation badge to hear it where audio exists.
  • Don't mix it up with “Lt” - see the side-by-side comparison. log vs Lt
  • Browse more English words and confusable pairs in the same reference. English words
Data Source

Wiktionary (via kaikki.org), licensed under CC BY-SA & GFDL. Word ordering uses an open word-frequency list; misspelling variants are generated by edit-distance from the correct headword.

Source: Wiktionary (via kaikki.org) Structured Wiktionary extract

Source: FrequencyWords open word-frequency list FrequencyWords open word-frequency list